Lemed Janvier et l'Orchestre African Allstar (Soukous from Benin, 1981-82)

(Oueme LJ001).

Lemed Janvier took part of recordings with Orchestre Poly Rythmo, Les Volcans du Benin and Tabu Ley from Congo.
Being form Benin but having lived in Kinshasa, he can also sing in lingala like a congolese  musician (and generally alternating some french or english parts). This late album was released in Benin and contains infectious soukous ryhtmic guitars (Señores Picoteros, pienso que le va a gustar). Global sound remains more in the 70s with African Allstar band, and includes also few suprisingly funky short breaks.

First tracks deals with a topic often adressed: the fact that the slanders and rumors do not affect the musicians.

Orchestre G.O. Malebo - Vive Faza DIABIM 4 (Zaire, 70s)

(AFRICAN 90.781).

This band has been created in the 70s by African Jazz sax player Samu Bakula, G. O. meaning "Giant Orchestra" (Geant Orchestre).

This really hypnotic congolese break has been composed and is sung by Menghe Mulyampene. 

Lukoki Diatho and Joe Mpoyi - Vava (Congolese singers in the 80s)

(Maikano MAILP1031).

Following years of success with Franco's TP OK Jazz, singer Lukoki Diatho ran several projects with his colleague Joe Mpoyi Kaninda in the mid 80's (Orchestre Canons du Zaire, Tiers Monde Cooperation). This album "100-1" is one of them, although name of the band is not mentioned.
Title track denounces liars and cheaters, surnamed "100-1". Competition between bands, betrayal and honesty have been recurrent themes in congolese soukous, same as love and woman relations which is the topic of "Vava" track presented here.

Empire Bakuba - Mombembe (Early Soukous from Zaire, 1976)

(Sonafric SAF 1810).

Nice soukous track from Empire Bakuba. This band takes his name from a pre-colonial african state, and was created in 1972 by singer Pepe Kalle (+1998), after playing with African Jazz, Bella Bella and Lipua Lipua from the 60s.

OK Jazz - Brigitta Mwasi Ya Makwela (Rumba, 1964)

(Surboum African Jazz OK 42)

Here's an early OK Jazz 7". Always nice...

Orchestre Lovy du Zaire - Conseil d'Ami (Blues from Congo, 1972)

(African 90.598 - VICLONG 27).

Congolese musicians also took inspiration from the US, playing here a bluesy song which introduction can remind "This is a Man's World". Really smooth and deep.

MIX /// Muzzicaltrips In Congo (45rpm selection from 1966-74)

A travel around really beautiful rumbas and early soukous, played by orchestras during early years of Congo under Mobutu Sese Seko. Great voices, crazy guitars, sweet horns, in various congolese styles. Selection is based on 45s from Fiesta, African and Pathe labels, which are not extremely rare to bump into in africa as generally not the styles hardly sought after by vinyl diggers, in parallel to be a bit lost in the huge congolese production.

Cooperative un point un trait - Kiamukoko (Early 80s Soukous in Paris)

(SAVAS-IGUANE SA 300039).

A Muzzicaltrips favorite. To have an idea of the mood of this bloody song, "Quelle ambiance!" repeated many times in the song means "what a great atmosphere"...